Tottenham Hotspur travel to Newcastle United on Wednesday as they look to advance in the EFL Cup
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Tottenham Hotspur have begun strongly in the Premier League and will hope to replicate that form in the EFL Cup when they travel to holders Newcastle United on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).
Spurs reached the semi-finals of the competition last season, having beaten both Manchester clubs on the way to losing 4-1 on aggregate to beaten finalists Liverpool. A similar run will be the target this season, particularly as the club have now broken their trophy duck after Europa League glory in May.
New boss Thomas Frank has had to contend with a series of first-team injuries during his early months at the club, though Spurs strengthened in the summer transfer window to combat long-term absentees. Several major stars are beginning to get closer to returning to fitness, and so Frank will look forward to having more of a full squad to choose from in the near future - though nine players could be unavailable on Wednesday.
Will Cristian Romero be fit to play for Spurs against Newcastle?
Cristian Romero has been out for Spurs ever since he was injured in the warm-up ahead of their home defeat to Aston Villa on October 19. He had been battling an adductor issue prior to the match and it was ultimately decided that he was not fit enough to feature. The Lilywhites captain has missed three games and that run may be set to continue, at least for a little longer. He will aim to be back in early November.
“Cuti just walked out on the grass running [with] some of the performance guys,” updated Frank at the weekend. “So positive, progressing, no time frame, but I don't expect it to be a longer one.”
Romero is not the only Spurs first-team star hoping to return at the start of next month, as Destiny Udogie (knee) and Dominic Solanke (ankle) have also spent the majority of their time under Frank on the sidelines. Newcastle is likely to come a little early for both, who might aim for the visit of Manchester United on November 8 to be back in action. Solanke has been tipped for an exit if he cannot force his way back into the side.
The same can be said for Yves Bissouma, who has been out all season after picking up a fresh injury on international duty with Mali earlier this month. The 29-year-old recently had surgery on his ankle and will aim to be back soon.
Wilson Odobert, meanwhile, was replaced with a knock at Monaco in the Champions League but was fit enough to be named amongst the substitutes at Everton on Sunday, meaning he is likely to be back involved for this one.
When will Dejan Kulusevsi be back for Tottenham?
Spurs have been without key playmaker Dejan Kulusevski since May, when the Sweden international underwent knee surgery which kept him out of the Europa League final. He is reportedly edging closer to recovery, and may hope to soon appear under Frank for the first time. This will come too soon, but Frank has said there is a “good chance” of Kulusevski returning in 2025, with December a realistic target for him to be back in competitive action.
James Maddison remains out with an ACL injury which is likely to keep him out for the season, while Radu Dragusin is returning from the same injury, sustained at the beginning of the year, and will aim to be back after the November international break.
Wales defender Ben Davies picked up a thigh injury on international duty and is expected to be “out for weeks”, set to miss the next set of World Cup qualifiers as a result. While young Japanese centre-back Kota Takai returned to training after a foot injury last month and might be in line to make his Spurs debut in the near future.